Lancashire fast bowler James Anderson ruled out of fifth test

ENGLAND cricketer James Anderson has been ruled out of the final Test of the series against India with “body soreness” according to captain Alastair Cook.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Cook said: “Unfortunately Jimmy is ruled out. He picked up body soreness in the last game. So he is not going to be risked in this game.”

Anderson missed the first game in Rajkot with a shoulder injury as England drew with their hosts, and struggled to make an impact on the subcontinent, taking just four wickets as India recorded three straight victories.

Cook said Anderson “could get through the game” and was disappointed to not be playing a part.

The captain continued to say: “It’s not worth the risk. When he has been in this situation over the last six months and we have played him, he has picked up injuries. It doesn’t seem the right time to play him.

“Could he get through? Yes, he possibly could. But over the last six months when we’ve played him, he has picked up an injury.”

This now means that Anderson, England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker, has missed eight of England’s last 23 Tests, including five this year alone.

He had also made news earlier during the tour, confronting Ravichandran Ashwin, the top-ranked Test bowler, after he questioned the batting technique of the host’s captain, Virat Kohli.